Post your top 5 or 10 defensive players in the NFL

Ya'know, sportscasters always talk about how underrated Justin Smith is, but they never truly give him his due.

This guy was All-Pro at defensive end AND defensive tackle for us last year. The 49ers biggest strength on defense is its front seven, and a HUGE chunk of that is Justin Smith's play. He's a pass-rusher, run-stopper, AND gap-stuffer. He makes clutch plays, has a high motor, and the rest of the defense rallies behind his play.

Sportscasters like him, but they don't talk about him being one of the best defensive players like they should. It's not surprising though. Cornerbacks and safeties get interceptions. Pure pass-rushing defensive ends get sacks. Linebackers get tackles. Justin Smith is a hybrid defensive linemen, so he doesn't quite have a "marquee statline" that shows how valuable of a player he is.

I totally understand the OP list - hard to argue. But my list are guys that always seem to show up at the most critical moments of a game; that can make a game changing plays on ANY given play; and offenses literally game plan around staying away from that player. Lastly, my list is geared toward next year - guys that teams are realizing are great and will stay away from next year.

S Ed Reed, Ravens -- offenses literally struggle to stay away from this unpredictable guy and he still makes game changing plays
DE Justin Smith, 49ers -- they know he is coming, and at critical times he still makes the play
DE Jason Pierre-Paul, Giants -- he became a force last year and looks to be even better next year
ILB Patrick Willis, 49ers -- no matter how hard they try to run from him, he is always right there - even in coverage
DE Jared Allen, Vikings -- makes great plays, but they just don't seem to be as many at critical game-changing moments
DE Julius Peppers, Bears -- same as above
DE/OLB DeMarcus Ware, Cowboys -- same as above
OLB Terrell Suggs, Ravens -- dominant, but without that game against SF his sack total wasn't that great
CB Darrelle Revis, Jets -- I think C Rodgers, Goldson, or even T Brown might supplant him this year on pure INTs at key moments

Originally posted by HearstFan:
I totally understand the OP list - hard to argue. But my list are guys that always seem to show up at the most critical moments of a game; that can make a game changing plays on ANY given play; and offenses literally game plan around staying away from that player. Lastly, my list is geared toward next year - guys that teams are realizing are great and will stay away from next year.

S Ed Reed, Ravens -- offenses literally struggle to stay away from this unpredictable guy and he still makes game changing plays
DE Justin Smith, 49ers -- they know he is coming, and at critical times he still makes the play
DE Jason Pierre-Paul, Giants -- he became a force last year and looks to be even better next year
ILB Patrick Willis, 49ers -- no matter how hard they try to run from him, he is always right there - even in coverage
DE Jared Allen, Vikings -- makes great plays, but they just don't seem to be as many at critical game-changing moments
DE Julius Peppers, Bears -- same as above
DE/OLB DeMarcus Ware, Cowboys -- same as above
OLB Terrell Suggs, Ravens -- dominant, but without that game against SF his sack total wasn't that great
CB Darrelle Revis, Jets -- I think C Rodgers, Goldson, or even T Brown might supplant him this year on pure INTs at key moments

Originally posted by HearstFan:
I totally understand the OP list - hard to argue. But my list are guys that always seem to show up at the most critical moments of a game; that can make a game changing plays on ANY given play; and offenses literally game plan around staying away from that player. Lastly, my list is geared toward next year - guys that teams are realizing are great and will stay away from next year.

S Ed Reed, Ravens -- offenses literally struggle to stay away from this unpredictable guy and he still makes game changing plays
DE Justin Smith, 49ers -- they know he is coming, and at critical times he still makes the play
DE Jason Pierre-Paul, Giants -- he became a force last year and looks to be even better next year
ILB Patrick Willis, 49ers -- no matter how hard they try to run from him, he is always right there - even in coverage
DE Jared Allen, Vikings -- makes great plays, but they just don't seem to be as many at critical game-changing moments
DE Julius Peppers, Bears -- same as above
DE/OLB DeMarcus Ware, Cowboys -- same as above
OLB Terrell Suggs, Ravens -- dominant, but without that game against SF his sack total wasn't that great
CB Darrelle Revis, Jets -- I think C Rodgers, Goldson, or even T Brown might supplant him this year on pure INTs at key moments

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